API & Integration Services
Connect your systems.
Build APIs that last.
From public REST APIs managed through Azure APIM to event-driven messaging architectures, we design, build, and operate integration layers that are secure, observable, and built for change. REST, gRPC, GraphQL, Service Bus, and Event Hubs: protocol agnostic, outcome focused.
Integration challenges that hold your teams back
Systems that should share data but require manual re-entry or fragile file exports between them.
APIs without rate limiting, authentication, or audit trails, leaving security gaps between connected systems.
Point-to-point integrations that break every time one system is updated or replaced.
Messages lost or processed twice, with no way to trace where a failure occurred.
A legacy system that cannot be replaced but needs to connect to modern platforms and services.
No visibility into what data is flowing between systems, or why something failed overnight.
Full-spectrum API and integration expertise
We cover every major integration pattern used in modern Azure architectures, picking the right tool for your use case rather than the same solution every time.
REST API design & build
We design and build clean, versioned REST APIs that follow OpenAPI standards, from internal microservice APIs to public-facing developer platforms.
Azure API Management (APIM)
We configure and operate Azure API Management to provide a secure, policy-driven gateway in front of your APIs, with developer portals, rate limiting, and analytics built in.
gRPC & high-performance services
For low-latency, high-throughput internal service communication, we use gRPC and Protocol Buffers. Ideal for microservices that need speed and strong contract guarantees.
GraphQL APIs
When your clients need flexible, self-describing queries (web, mobile, or third-party), we build and federate GraphQL APIs that reduce over-fetching and accelerate front-end development.
Azure Service Bus & async messaging
We implement event-driven architectures using Azure Service Bus queues and topics, decoupling services for resilience, scalability, and reliable message delivery.
Messaging patterns & event-driven design
We design pub/sub, queuing, and event streaming architectures using Azure Service Bus, Event Grid, and Event Hubs, selecting the right messaging pattern for each integration point.
Go deeper on each technology
Each integration pattern has its own characteristics, trade-offs, and implementation considerations. Explore our specialist pages below.
Azure API Management (APIM)
Policy-driven API gateway, developer portals, rate limiting, and analytics.
Learn moreREST API Development
Standards-based REST APIs from internal microservices to public developer platforms.
Learn moregRPC & Protobuf Services
High-performance, type-safe inter-service communication for microservice architectures.
Learn moreGraphQL API Development
Flexible, self-describing APIs that let clients query exactly what they need.
Learn moreAzure Service Bus Integration
Reliable async messaging with queues, topics, and dead-letter handling on Azure.
Learn moreMessaging Patterns & Event-Driven Design
Pub/sub, queuing, and event streaming architectures using Azure Service Bus, Event Grid, and Event Hubs.
Learn moreAn integration partner you can trust with your critical data flows
Microsoft Solutions Partner
As a designated Microsoft Solutions Partner, we have verified deep expertise in Azure, from APIM policy authoring to Service Bus topology design and Event Hubs integration.
Protocol agnostic, outcome focused
We don't default to one pattern. We assess your payload characteristics, latency requirements, consumer diversity, and team capability before recommending REST, gRPC, GraphQL, or messaging.
Proven in regulated, public-facing APIs
We have delivered publicly accessible REST APIs managed through Azure APIM and enhanced mission-critical government APIs, including the UK Livestock Unique Identification System.
Security built into every API
OAuth 2.0, API key policies, TLS everywhere, JWT validation, and rate limiting are part of every engagement, not bolt-ons. We treat your API surface as a security boundary from day one.
End-to-end ownership
We design, build, test, document, and operate your integration layer. Through our Managed Application Support service we can keep it running at peak performance post-launch.
Enhancing a mission-critical government API
Introduced improvements to the LUIS API, increasing flexibility, security, and interoperability
Deployed new secure Azure environments to support service growth and resilience
Supported the ordering and fulfilment of over 25 million livestock identification tags in 2024-25
Supporting a mission-critical integration platform
Responsive application support for a complex integration platform connecting booking, payment, and customer communication systems
Change request delivery across APIs, integrations, and application components, improving performance and interoperability
In-hours incident management (P1-P4) for the UK's largest ferry network: over 160,000 sailings and 5 million passengers each year
Our integration delivery process
From discovery to live operations, every step is designed to reduce integration risk and keep your teams unblocked.
Integration Discovery & Architecture
We map your current systems, data flows, and consumers. We identify what needs to connect, agree on protocols, and design the integration architecture: API contracts, message schemas, security boundaries, and APIM topology.
You get a documented integration blueprint before a line of code is written.
Build & Contract-First Development
We build to the agreed contract: OpenAPI specs for REST, proto files for gRPC, SDL schemas for GraphQL. Development runs in sprint cycles with demos and API mocks available for your consuming teams early, reducing downstream dependencies.
Testing, Security Review & APIM Configuration
Every API goes through automated contract testing, load testing, and a security review. Where Azure APIM is in scope we configure policies, products, developer portal, and monitoring dashboards before go-live.
Go Live & Ongoing Operations
We deploy to production with zero-downtime strategies, provide API documentation (interactive via developer portal or Swagger UI), and offer ongoing support through our Managed Application Support service, including SLA-backed incident response, version management, and deprecation planning.
Frequently asked questions
Which API protocol should I use: REST, gRPC, or GraphQL?
It depends on who your consumers are and what the data characteristics look like. REST is the safest default for public APIs and third-party integrations. gRPC is better for internal, high-performance service-to-service calls. GraphQL shines when clients (especially web/mobile) need flexible queries over complex, related data. In practice, many systems use all three for different parts of the stack. We help you decide.
Do I need Azure API Management if I already have APIs?
Not always, but if you have more than a handful of APIs, public consumers, or need to enforce rate limits, authentication policies, or analytics centrally, APIM pays for itself quickly. It also provides a developer portal so external teams can self-serve credentials and documentation.
What is the difference between Azure Service Bus and Azure Event Hubs?
Service Bus is a managed enterprise messaging broker, ideal for reliable, ordered message delivery between applications with features like sessions and dead-lettering. Event Hubs is an event streaming platform designed for very high throughput, durable event logs, and replay capabilities (with a Kafka-compatible endpoint). Many architectures use both: Service Bus for application integration, Event Hubs for telemetry and analytics pipelines. We help you choose based on your volume, durability, and consumer requirements.
Can you integrate with our existing third-party systems (Salesforce, SAP, etc.)?
Yes. We build integration layers using Azure Logic Apps, Azure Functions, or custom microservices to connect your Azure-hosted applications with SaaS platforms and legacy systems. We always favour durable, well-tested integration over fragile connector chains.
What does a public REST API project look like with Talk Think Do?
We've delivered public-facing REST APIs managed through Azure APIM, covering contract design, security policy authoring, developer portal setup, load testing, and ongoing management. We treat a public API as a product, not just an endpoint.
How do mobile backends fit into this?
Mobile backends are a closely related area we cover separately. Your integration layer often forms the foundation your mobile backend builds on, so we design them to work well together. Get in touch to discuss mobile backend requirements alongside your integration needs.
Ready to build an integration layer that won't let you down?
Whether you need a public REST API on Azure APIM, a gRPC service mesh, a GraphQL gateway, or an event-driven messaging architecture, we'd love to hear about your integration challenges.
Book a free consultation with one of our integration architects to discuss your requirements, technology choices, and what a successful project looks like.
Book a free consultationor call 01202 375647